Agony outside banks as institutions remain closed until Monday

Many citizens lined up at banks again on Thursday, mainly the elderly hoping to get the next 120-euro installment from their pensions. the unemployed and pensioners receiving payments from abroad will also be able to withdraw as much as 120 euros.

A number of pensioners complained that the situation and uncertainty was extremely stressful, whereas they also complained that they were having difficulties making ends meet.  Long lines at ATM machines with citizens waiting to withdraw 50 euros per day have also distressed citizens.

The bank holiday will continue until Monday, July 13, a day after the European Council scheduled for Sunday.

The Hellenic Capital Market Commission on Thursday announced that the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE) will remain closed until Monday, in line with the bank holiday. It also announced the following:

– The regulated market and the Multilateral Trading Facility of EN.A (Alternative Market) of the Athens Exchange will continue to remain closed.
– The Electronic Secondary Market HDAT for bonds, of the Bank of Greece will continue to remain closed.
– Redemption of mutual funds’ units will continue to be suspended.
– The clearing of securities traded on the Greek market and the Multilateral Trading Facility EN.A, effected by the ATHEXClear, will continue to be suspended and
– The cash settlement of securities traded on the Greek markets, effected by the Hellenic Central Securities Depository, will continue to be suspended.

Sources on Wednesday reveal that limits to 1,000 euros per traveler may be placed on Greek citizens traveling abroad.